90% OF INFORMATION TRANSMITTED TO THE BRAIN IS VISUAL

And,

You have about 2 seconds to get someone´s attention in a saturated feed…

So, how can you make sure that you are sending out the right visual information in under 3 seconds so that people scrolling down their feed “Stop & Watch”?

First of all, let me tell you that if you already think you are doing the best you can on video to attract your ideal clients and get their attention, don´t bother to go on reading.

However, if you are a smart business owner who is always committed to improving, growing and you strive for excellence and being above average, then, this will change the way you do videos, believe me.

Visuals are processed 60,000X faster in the brain than text.

So, it is fundamental that you are sending out the right visuals.

 On video, your Visuals are known as BACKDROPS, a backdrop is the space behind you that viewers can see.

It has the power to make or break your videos, your credibility and therefore, your whole business. Yes, it IS that powerful! Remember 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual .

A well designed backdrop (that is, following my system Backdrops that Sell), is able to do this for you:

•  Brand your videos consistently so that your viewers RECOGNISE your brand and REMEMBER it.
  And, no, it is not about using a logo, research has shown that logos are not stored in our memories, however, there are other effective ways of making that connection to your brand in your viewers´ minds.
•  Show your field of expertise, people need to know what they are going to watch in order to decide whether they want to spend their precious time with you. Make it easy for them!
•  Show your personality and personal style. Visuals are THE MOST POWERFUL way of attracting and communicating with your Ideal client. The right backdrop will attract their curiosity, the wrong one will just confuse them. And you definitely don´t want that: Confused people don´t buy!
•  Tell your story, yes, a backdrop is a great story-telling tool. It is also a nice ice-breaker and conversation starter. Talk about multi-purpose!
•  Build TRUST and CREDIBILITY. Lets´s just put it this way: You need to show the results you help people get with your product or service in your videos. So, if you are trying to attract high-end clients, they need to see a high-end backdrop or video set, or else, they are not going to believe you. And, if they don´t believe you, they won´t buy from you.
•  Last but certainly , not least: SELL! A backdrop can literally sell for you, ok, I might have got a little carried away…you will need to put in some work, have a great message (which, I know you have or else you wouldn´t be reading this far); and know how to deliver it. But, the right visuals, in the right place, at the right time or with the right type of video will increase SALES. It is a fact, no room for chance here.

The reason I started this business is precisely because I was seeing too many people who had great potential regarding their message and expertise but, they were falling flat on video because they were not even aware that they needed a backdrop that amplified their strengths and helped them sell.

 The point is: you always have something behind you in your videos, don´t you? So, you need to make sure that it is the right backdrop for you (and not some generic screen that is actually harming your business).

For years, I have been designing retail spaces, events and sets for big clients (beauty brands, yes, those really expensive creams you are thinking of; pharmaceutical companies, food&beverage moguls…the lot) .

I became known for creating my own approach to design, which combines commercial design, event and staging design, shop window design and psychology in my projects and thus, making millions for my clients. And nice “dollas” for my business too. 

This is why, when I saw people doing video without proper backdrops, it only made sense to bring this knowledge online to help livestreamers and business owners who were trying to grow their businesses through video. The result was my Backdrops that Sell System that guarantees your visuals are amplifying your strengths and delivering the right stimulus so that SALES increase drastically.

Think of it as having the best, most striking window display for your store.

That is the effect a backdrop has in your videos, it is your own shop window display that will attract clients to your business and make sales a breeze!

But beware! 

Just in the same way as the right backdrop acting as a super power for your videos, the wrong one will HARM your brand terribly.

If your message does NOT MATCH your backdrop; in other words, if what you say doesn´t match what you show; your viewers will be confused, they won´t believe you, they will therefore NOT TRUST you and…unfortunately, they will NOT BUY from you.

Don´t worry, with a well planned strategy, we can turn that around and make your brand desirable. 

 But here is the thing, how can you tell whether your BACKDROP is sending out the right information or not?

How can you be sure that you are using the right backdrop for your brand and for the outcomes you are expecting from your videos?

When you are on VIDEO, there are 2 types of visuals:

1.- NOISE 
2.- INFORMATION (VALUE) 

1.-  NOISE
Is any visual stimulus that does not add to the outcome of your video, on the contrary, it confuses viewers.
 It does NOT match the message.
 It does not fit the brand.  It simply DISTRACTS.
And, you cannot afford distractions on video, space and time are very limited when you are on screen and, you have no chance of a second impression. So, everything you put out, needs to be on point.

2.-  INFORMATION
Any type of visual stimulus that is doing one of the above: branding, story-telling, attracting, building trust, connecting…selling.

•  Visuals that have a meaning and a purpose in your videos.
•   Visuals that are going to amplify your message.
•  Visuals and psychological triggers that are going to help you achieve an outcome.
   Visuals that are going to make you memorable in a saturated feed.

Remember! You only have 2 seconds for people to decide that they want o “Stop & Watch” your videos.

 The right backdrop will stick in your viewers brain  for longer.
 It will make your videos RECOGNISABLE.
 It will stick in your audience´s long term memory. Research has shown that after three days, a user retained only 10-20% of written or spoken information but almost 65% of visual information.

**************************************************

 Now, would you like to know whether you are using the right backdrop or not?

 Do this simple test:

Show people who don´t know what you do a photo of your backdrop.

Then, ask them:

– What do you think I do?
– What do you think is my personality?
– Who do you think I work with?
– Can you describe my brand?

If you get all these answers 100% accurate, well done, you are either one of the very few doing it right or you are my client (!) 

But if you get vague, unclear replies, there is something missing or wrong with your backdrop.

In this case, let´s work on it, I can guarantee, your videos won´t be the same again. Get in touch and we´ll get started with the best option for you.

THIS TYPE OF BACKDROP IS KILLING YOUR CREDIBILITY

People often ask me why I don´t recommend using generic backdrops (aka the ones you buy ready-made to hang on a wall or pole structure). You, know the fabric screen that are sold as video backdrops, but that are, in fact, only photography backdrops.

I think they can kill your brand, your credibility and they make you look lazy!

You see, one of the purposes of using a video backdrop is to make your videos recognisable in a saturated feed. To make you stand out from the crowd.

Your backdrop should be customised to you and your business.

Your message, your brand, your business, your personality…are not the same as another business owner´s message, brand, business, personality:

So why the flamingo would you use the same generic backdrop as somebody else?

The mere fact that you might be using what other people are using, for the exact same purpose, neutralises the purpose of making you stand out.

So why would you want to be faded out in the mass of live streamers that are using that same, uninspired backdrop?
It´s ridiculous!

Your backdrop is your most powerful visual branding tool when you are on screen!

Your video backdrop is the new “About Me” page !!!

You have spent time and money creating your brand and brand image, why would you toss it in the bin with a bad choice of a backdrop?

Your backdrop is your digital brand brought to life.

The wrong backdrop can seriously damage your credibility, and your authority.

Remember, people need to be able to see what you say you can help them with in your videos: Show the results you can help them get.

They need to trust that you can take them from A to B.
You need to show them the results they can get by working with you.
You need to be coherent with what you say.

This is the reason I created a proven system, that applies my years of experience designing commercial spaces and events, as an award winning designer, I have been able to create show stopping events and successful retail and commercial spaces for my clients, making them thousands of dollars, I now apply the same commercial, scenography and psychology principles to your backdrops so that your videos can become a powerful selling machine.

So, are you going to be a generic solution for your clients or a specific, exclusive, high-end  solution?
You decide.

If you want your videos to be your best selling tool, check this out. Limited time offer.

Download a full .pdf explaining everything a backdrop can do for your videos.

So you have decided to use Video in your business.

Congrats! It is a smart decision as by 2020, Cisco has estimated that video content will make 80-90% of all content online, this is huge and in order to be successful, you definitely need to embrace it as soon as possible.

If you are already using Video, you need to make sure you are doing it right or else, it could be doing nothing for you, or what´s even worse, it could be harming your brand and message *more on this below.

Here is what usually happens right after you decide to create Videos for your business:

1.- What type of videos should I create?

You start thinking about what type of content you would like to create , if you want a tip, don´t create the type of content you think your audience will like but ask them, do some research into what they are asking, what they need, what their struggles are…

This is a much more effective approach to content creation and will save you months, if not more of creating content for crickets…

Find a good balance of educational/inspiring videos as well as some behind the scenes (your viewers will love those!), entertaining content…it really comes down to what your audience wants to watch, so when you make it a habit to ask them, they will be an infinite source of ideas!

The best help on this topic (on how to structure and be consistent) I have found in all my years as an online entrepreneur has been this class by Desislava Dobreva   ,  a 3-hour masterclass that will help you destroy any confusion and overwhelm you have about positioning your business online with a powerful content strategy. After this, you’ll be able to create your entire social media strategy from scratch and become a content creation machine. I tell you, it is gold!

Now, if you would like to plan all your content like a PRO and even create each type of video and practice them before you go live, check out my VIDEOS that SELL Programme.

2.- What platform/s should I use?

Now, after you decide your Content plan, you need to start thinking on what platforms you will be using. Not every platform works the same way, and they each have their peculiarities when it comes to backdrops (more on that later) but to make it easy for you to decide, ask yourself this question:

Where is my Ideal client?

That´s it, you now have an answer to where you should be streaming from. Start small, on one or two platforms at the most. It takes time to get the grasp of how each platform works.

If you are going to be using Written Visuals in your videos (words, taglines, etc), you need to know the characteristics of each platform. I offer a free cheat sheet for people who join my facebook group (apart from other awesome trainings, and free content, oh, and a weekly giveaway). If you want to join and get my free cheat sheet, just click on the image below.

Click on image to join.

3.- How do I structure my videos?

Ok, so this, takes time to master, but the best script and outline, without doubt  I have found and I use as so do all my #peri10k peeps (It is a community of change makers and thought leaders) is this one by Katya Varbanova. At first, simply look at it while you are livestreaming, the more you use it , the more familiar you will become with the structure and it will soon be second nature. It really helped me with managing my nerves and making me feel more confident on camera. It is a way of seeming more professional, like you know what you are doing, lol! It also helps when you get nervous, and I know a thing or two about that…camera-shy was my second name, petrified was my first name!

In my new programme, you will be able to create your own script, completely adapted to your business and strategy and, yes, you guessed, you will be able to Practice before using it live. Learn more here.

4.- What equipment do I need?

Let´s be honest, when you are first starting out you have plenty enough equipment with your phone , a backdrop* , an affordable light and tripod (UK link) affordable light and tripod  (US link) and in some cases a mic . With this same equipment I recommend to all my clients, you can easily make videos until you are making big sales.

Remember you are trying to provide the best viewer experience, so you should eventually level up your video gear, although don´t let that stop you, you need to start doing video today, your can always up-level bit by bit.

I am going to break down this section and tell you exactly what you need when:

1. Starting out and until you are making money:

You just need a smartphone and a video backdrop*.

Optional: a tripod will make things easier but you can also use a stack of books, some sturdy box or candle…you should see how I did my first videos! Some of them are still up on my Facebook page , some people may argue I should take them down,(some are even blurry…) but you what, I keep them there as a reminder of how far I have come since I started livestreaming (but that is a whole other story!).

About the *backdrop:

As you saw in the video at the top of this page,

a backdrop is what your viewers can see behind you when you are on screen.

BUT it is NOT (or it should not be) that generic fabric screen some people are using (there is nothing wrong with the format, the power of a backdrop is in the Visuals you are using, not in the format). If you want to know why those screens are harming your brand, watch this super short video. 

or read this article.

When you are on camera, there is always something behind you, it is merely a physical fact, so why not make it work in your favour instead of against you? 

A backdrop is not only your physical support when you are doing videos , it acts as an emotional support too.

Your backdrop is your Visual Communication, it is the first impression your viewers will have of you. And you know what? It is the best selling machine for your business.

In a saturated feed, you need to make it easy for people to decide they want to “Stop & Watch” you.

 

Your Video Backdrop has the power (when designed right) to:

• Amplify your message
• Make your videos recognisable in a saturated feed.
• Brand all your videos.
• Tell your story.
• Show your expertise.
• Build the trust factor fast.
• Show your clients what results you ca get for them.
• Attract your Ideal client easily.
• Communicate your message visually.
• Market your offers subtly (using seller psychology).
• Use effective CTAs in your videos that will help you get subscribers, sales or whatever outcome you are aiming at.

Download my Free Checklist to know what key 3 elements you need to have in place.

Download to get the full Checklist.

Can you see how POWERFUL it is?

The terrible thing is, hardly anyone is using their backdrop to their full potential, moreover, most people are using the wrong backdrop (because they are not even aware they have one) or using the wrong solution, such as a generic fabric screen that is doing nothing to make their videos recognisable and unique.

Using the wrong backdrop is actually harming your branding, your message and your credibility.

 

It is confusing your viewers because what you say (your message) and what they see (your backdrop) doesn´t match.

A fully Optimised backdrop will have every key element in place, depending on your needs, your goals, your aspiration and your current surroundings.

I do not believe in invasive solutions such as big poles and screens unless you have a video studio, a dedicated space you can use solely for video creation. If that is not your situation, which, most likely isn´t, you need to make the living/video/working combo work for you and for the inhabitants of your home. I like creating the Perfect Backdrop for each client, the one that will act as a marketing, branding and communication tool but that will also enhance your surroundings and not be an obstacle in your space.

If you want to know whether you are using the right backdrop for your videos, check this article out.

If you are ready to start rocking your videos, let´s chat. Book an Initial Consultation with me in which I will see what the best solution would be for your needs and situation.

1. You are already making money in our business and/or creating Courses or Video ads:

I do recommend you invest in all or some of these if you are creating Courses or Video ads , or if you are a regular live streamer; at this stage you really should be delivering high quality videos, viewers will expect it.

I am listing a number of items I use myself and I recommend my clients, there are several options, at different price points.

• Although you can still use a smartphone (the higher range in Apple or Samsung, for instance, not quoting others as I have no experience with them), below you will find some cameras that are great for creating courses and webinars.

• Video Backdrop: this is a MUST. No video should be done without a proper, optimised backdrop as you have learnt in the point above. However, you might have started with a more simple video backdrop (Backdrop Quick-Fix) and now you are ready for the full version.
• I have created a System, that turns your backdrop into your best selling tool. I am an award winning designer and for years, I have designed commercial retail spaces and events, making millions for my clients, I now apply the same commercial design and psychology principles to your VIDEOS , so that you can easily grow your business to 6-figures by using video.

• A tripod, people get very nervous when a video is shaky, you don´t want that. I am sharing my two favourites at two different price points. You can start with the more affordable option and upgrade later on. It also depends on your needs, will you just use it from a desk? Or will you be taking it with you, even outdoors? In this case, I do recommend the Gorilla tripod as it is incredibly versatile, you can place it on the most extreme surfaces and it will remain steadily gripped.

• One of the main reasons not to follow someone´s videos is  bad SOUND. It is a top reason also for your course to be rejected on Udemy or other teaching platforms.  I highly recommend the Rode Smart Lav. This is definitely a sound investment (pun intended).

• Next piece of equipment would be lighting. If you need help finding the best spot for your video backdrops and making the most of natural lighting, book an Initial Consultation with me, sometimes you don´t even need any other type of lighting or other times, you will benefit more from other options. It all depends on the style of video you are going to shoot, your Ideal audience, your brand style…I can give you honest feedback on what features you should invest in and which you don´t need. However, if you already know that you do require lighting equipment, here are my go to recommendations; lightboxes only if you have a space you can use as a video set or studio, if not, this handy and super affordable option is my go to favourite to use with a mobile phone.

This is a similar option:

• If you are planning on creating high quality videos, courses or You Tube videos, you will eventually need to invest in a camera that works well both for video and photos.I love my Canon! They are easy to use (they even come with a free course) and photos and video are really professional looking. Of course, you can later go really professional with other cameras and lenses but wait until you start making money from your videos. On my list, the Canon EOS C100  below.
• If you are looking for an affordable option to use with your computer, this webcam does the trick at a reasonable price.

5.- You have it all sorted…but who is going to watch? How to find your audience.

The best way to grow an audience today is definitely via video, no question about that.

Luckily building a tribe just needs commitment, consistency and a proven system ……. I´ve got you covered!

The best training ever is ACE  , it gives you all the steps you need to take to go from 0 viewers to 1000 easily. After that, numbers (apparently) start piling up really fast! Ask me again in a couple of months, combining my different platforms I am way over that first thousand (remember I started livestreaming recently) but on the same platform, I am still not there). ACE has given me the step-by-step instructions (easy to implement, by the way), so it is just a question of being consistent.

And, once more, your Backdrop is the easiest and fastest way of attracting your Ideal tribe. If you want to know the exact visulas you should be using and where they need to be placed, check this out, my new programme covers every single element you need to have in place so that your videos SELL.

I really do hope this post will help you get started or uplevel your video game.

You simply cannot afford to wait any longer to hit that Go live button and start getting clients!

Let me know how else I can help you.

Remember:

A video backdrop and a smartphone is all you need to share your message and start getting clients from video!

But if you really want to do it fast and easily, join the VIDEOS that SELL Programme, right now, you can get in at a fraction of the price, while we run our BETA. In September, price will double.

Are trying to reach high-end clients but feel like there is something not attracting them?

Are you ready for the next level in your business?

Do you feel called to make a bigger impact?

Do you feel it is time for you to go big?

Aim higher?

What your viewers see in your videos is what they think you can do for them.

What results are you showing your viewers you can get them?

What success are you showing in your videos?

What high-end surroundings can they see?

You see, here is the hard truth…
If they cannot see it, they cannot believe it.

Stop preaching in the desert.

If you want to attract high-end clients, you need to prove to them you are high-end too.

Let me tell you one thing:
Selling high-end services or products requires a different strategy, careful staging and exquisite delivery…
Your videos need to show that you are one of them, that you understand their struggles and you can take them to the results they long to achieve.
I know this well because I have been fortunate to grow up in that environment (not bragging, just making a statement), not that I haven´t had my fair share of struggles, because I can assure you I have had maybe more than many people…but that is a different story. What I am trying to tell you is I know how they think, what they think, how they breathe and what they want. And I know too, you cannot enter that realm if they suspect you are an outsider.

They need to “see” that you are up to their standards of quality and style.

They need to believe that you “get them”.

Whatever idea of quality they get form your videos is the idea of quality they will assume your services to have. It is mere association of ideas.

Give them quality, style and impeccable design and you will be trusted. You will become an insider.

Fair or unfair, it is what it is.
And let´s face it, if your message is about how you can take them from A to B, from Mess to Success…you need to show them that you have been able to go from mess to success yourself, don´t you think? If you are still showing A in your videos, they won´t believe you can take them to B.

But, how can you do this?
Well, the first contact they have with your brand is Visual. Visual contact is powerful when done right but ever so harmful to your brand when done wrong.

Video the fastest and the best way to skyrocket your business.
You need to show the right, high-end visuals that they are expecting to see.
You can do that easily by showing that your surroundings are also at that high-end level.

They will only trust you if you can demonstrate that your level of success will take them to the next level or will solve their problems.

Your space says more about your business than you think. It actually says it (almost) all on video, at least.

Let them see you are as successful as you say you are: Show them!

Your video backdrop needs to live and breathe your message and show the results you can get your clients.

 

And no, this is not about faking it till you make it, rather the opposite, upgrade your surroundings so that they match your level of success.

You have reached a certain status in your business, now it is time to upgrade your surroundings so that they are a perfect fit.

Do not cheapen your brand by having the wrong video backdrop and surroundings.

Let´s chat, we will speak about your needs, your vision and about the best solution to get you those high-end clients you so deserve. Fill in the form below or book your call here.

[contact-form][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” /][contact-field label=”Message” type=”textarea” /][/contact-form]

So many people are doing videos in front of the wrong backdrop.

This is terrible!

Honestly, I have lost count of how many videos I see using the wrong; a.k.a. harmful backdrop.

This is completely ruining their CREDIBILITY , AUTHORITY and, SALES.

Here´s why:

First of all, a backdrop is the area your viewers can see behind you when you are on screen. And, no, it is NOT one of those fabric screens people are using! That is one format only, but a backdrop can take many shapes and it should be completely personalised to your needs, your type of video and your surroundings. A non-invasive solution that will enhance your surroundings and double up as a video backdrop when required. If you would like to know what the problem is with those fabric screens you see around, watch this short video.

Now, you always have a backdrop whether you are aware of it or not…it is simply a physical fact.

Now, given that you always have a backdrop, why not make it do something for your videos?

I will explain how you can create a backdrop that actually helps you communicate better in this article, so read on.

A Video backdrop is a hugely powerful tool when used correctly, on the other hand, it can be hugely harming your brand and your message if you are not using it right.

The problem with not using an optimised backdrop (explained below) is that it will do more harm to your message and branding than anything else. *Optimised is the term I use to explain a Backdrop that Sells (my unique system that combines all the different elements a backdrop should have in order for it to become a powerful tool).

Your message , You and your Backdrop need to be perfectly cohesive to :

 

• Amplify your message.
• Build Trust and Credibility with your viewers.
• Sell your products or services.

An optimised backdrop should be able to do the following: (Watch this short video, if you prefer.)

• Be on brand , every time you are online, your viewers should know it is you and your business, a backdrop needs to be branded cohesively throughout all your online activities. And that doesn´t necessarily mean you just need one backdrop, there are ways you can brand different backdrops for different activities.

• Show your field of expertise.

• Make you look trustworthy in front of viewers. Only when what you say and what you show matches perfectly, will your audience trust you. And TRUST is key in being able to make SALES.

• Communicate and amplify your message. The wrong backdrop will break the communication process, leaving your audience confused.

• Tell your story, so you can build an emotional Connection with your viewers, which is vital in order to turn them into clients. Have you ever heard of the LIKE-KNOW-TRUST factor? An audience needs to like you first, get to know you and connect to you and trust you before they are even ready to spend money on you.I call this sequence ATTRACT – CONNECT – SELL; and each phase needs to be fully supported by the right backdrop.

• Make people STOP and WATCH your videos = Make your Videos STAND OUT (in a saturated feed); visual communication enters the brain before any other stimulus, it is the best and most effective way of making people stop scrolling and PAY ATTENTION to your videos.

• Reach your Ideal clients: a backdrop can make audience building hugely effective by attracting the right clients and repelling the wrong ones for your brand.

• SELL: my signature system “BACKDROPS THAT SELL” is the result of years of experience and research in commercial design, I now apply the same psychology and design principles to backdrops to ensure they will be a powerful tool in getting SALES effortlessly on video. When your backdrop shows all the right elements, in the right place, at the right time, it can become a “retail experience” for your viewers. If you want to learn exactly how to make your backdrop sell for you, join my new programme: VIDEOS that SELL.

Below is a graphic showing you what happens when you sue the wrong backdrop in your videos:

Your viewers will be confused, because you are not showing them the right VISUALS (backdrop). And confused people don´t buy!

Below is what happens, on the contrary when you are using an optimised backdrop (using the Backdrops that Sell System). Your viewers can immediately see a connection between what you say you can do for them and what you are showing them on video. They will become fans and clients!!

When your message and your backdrop are cohesive and fit perfectly, you deliver your message effectively, amplifying its reach and making it loud and clear. Your audience will understand it perfectly, they will trust you and you will have a raving tribe of fans and clients!

• Communicate your message on a visual level too…double power!
• Connect with your viewers, so they become fans.
• It is a great emotional trigger and connection building tool.
• You can use subtle visual CTA´s (calls to action=what you want your audience to do) in your videos.
• It can sell your expertise without being salesly or pushy.
• It will be able to show the results you help your clients get, thus building trust and showing your really are an authority in your niche.
• It will make your videos stand out from the competition, because you will be looking professional.
• Look professional,stand out from the competition, make sales! Get in on my new programme today where we tackle every single element you need to have in place in your videos.

When your message and your backdrop are cohesive and fit perfectly, you deliver your message effectively, amplifying its reach and making it loud and clear. Your audience will understand it perfectly, they will trust you and you will have a raving tribe of fans and clients!

If you are serious about growing your business through Video, my new programme will make the process seamless and easy. Every single element you need to make your videos SELL for you. Learn more and apply here.

Are you struggling to do videos?

Many people are struggling, especially shy people, I have a few tips that have definitely helped me, you are not alone. I am shy and a regular live streamer, how did I get here?

The other day, during a live stream (video below), I spoke about my struggles when going live and with video, in general. Some of the comments I got were very encouraging, viewers who had been following several of my live streams could not believe I had had such a hard time. That is only because I have recently become more confident during live streaming. As you can see in the video,it is still far from perfect, but I do try to keep up with comments and maintain eye contact (most of the time) and although I stumbled upon my words a few times, I actually enjoyed it.

If you are shy, you know the worst form of video is Live! I know, they are all scary but live…can be paralysing!

I remember when I kept telling myself, the more you do anything, the less scary it gets and the better you get at it- well, surely it has to be the same with live streaming.

I knew if I wanted to take my business online, there was no way I could avoid embracing video.

Not only that, one of my businesses is directly linked to video, hello? I create Video Backdrops for people who want to get their message out there amplified, optimised…feeling confident! I mean, my handle is @thebackdropstylist , that gives you an idea of how much I needed to do videos…

So here was I, helping other people do amazing videos, creating beautiful branded and supportive backdrops and I was too afraid of doing a video! Can you see the paradox?

Therefore, I was committed to overcome my fears. Which, I tell you have been (and still are) huge, ever since I remember. Just so you get an idea, if I ever saw a camera, I´d run away, that was always my reaction while growing up, and I tell you with a mum that enjoyed photography and video…that was hard! Just imagine how scared I was that I don´t even have a video of my wedding…and I only agreed to having a photographer because it wouldn´t have been fair on my husband or guests…but I had a really hard time with that too (my photo album is hidden away somewhere…).

So, I am not going to tell you it is easy. I am not going to tell you to do ten videos and then you will be a pro, no, it is a process, it takes a big effort and commitment, but: you can totally do it. Believe me.

It takes time, it takes commitment, it takes some tips and tools that will make it a bit easier and then, one day, you will realise that although you did get nervous, it was actually exciting. And you know then, that if only one day that excitement feels stronger than the panic, you will actually start enjoying it. Just think that if you are able to feel that, even if it is just once, there are chances you will be able to feel it more often, does it make sense?

Anyone else ever felt those “good nerves” that rush through your body and make something scary but fun at the same time?

Feeling that means you are on the right path, you are growing, thinking outside your own little head and who knows what exciting new chances await you on the other side?

Now, be prepared for ups and downs, more ups, obviously, don´t give up just yet… There will be set backs, some days will suck, other days you will feel like you pushed through and did a decent job, and some days you will even feel like you´ve got this and it is no longer a big deal. The latter start becoming a standard bit by bit, or should I say video by video.

I really want to point this out because it is NOT a progressive journey, at last in my case. It is a somewhat unfair road, that is, you feel start feeling more comfortable and confident and then, suddenly, you will have a “bad video day” , and you will feel as of you have taken a few steps back. Do not be discouraged by this, the following videos will be much better. You might have one or two “bad video days” but they will not mean you are not making progress, they are simply part of the journey. Embrace them, delete those videos if you feel they are really awful (I have never done so  because I think all my videos, no matter how bad some of them might be, may inspire someone), but you do have the option to delete too if that will make you feel better. Every single video you create is a lesson and takes you a step closer to feeling totally comfortable on screen. I know that day will come for me too…I just hope it is soon! Ha ha ha!

You can have bad video days just like you have bad hair days…

 

My humble advice is, keep going, practice is necessary and you will never do it as bad as you think, honestly. Those silences that seem like minutes to you, well, they are actually imperceptible to your viewers, that stumbling upon words…you will get over it and you can even joke about it to lessen the pressure. (I do that all the time).

People can relate to nerves, they can relate to struggles, they won´t think you are less of an expert because of your shyness, believe me, if anything, you will be able to inspire more people to give it a try.

Now, this is only a short list of things that I have found have helped me and are still helping me along the way.

1- Community: find yourself a supportive group of people that are going through the same struggle or that are ahead of you, so they can lead and help out. Be it for the support and be it for the responsibility not to let the others in the community down, you pull through and do it as best you can. It took me 5 months to do my very first #shareathon on Periscope , my only regret now is not jumping in before. I think it is the best way to overcome any fear, you just have to do it and that´s it. Sometimes “just do it” is the best therapy!

2- Start a support pod or even a practice group where you can get constructive feedback and you can support and find support at the same time. Start small, in an uplifting and constructive environment. A closed Facebook group is a good platform as you can actually test your live streaming.

3- Find your turning point. When I realised it is not about me, but about my message and what I can do for others, a heavy weight lifted off my shoulders.

4- Don´t be afraid to share your struggles. I used to think everything had to be perfect and I could not share my panic, when you share, you never know who you might be inspiring and encouraging to try it.

5- Be engaged, this is sometimes the hardest thing to remember at the beginning of your live videos. You are trying not to forget what you want to say and you completely forget to check the messages, to welcome people…it takes practice. Setting yourself triggers and reminders helps. I sometimes still think: Oh, if nobody joins my live stream, it will be more relaxing and I won´t have to answer, lol! I know, what is the point of going live but to reach people…? #shymindsthinkdifferently

6- Use a Live video Checklist , I personally highly recommend this one, it has helped me stay on track, stay focused and give a structure to my videos. You can get it here. I do get a small commission on this, but I only recommend it because it is what I always use. It is absolutely the best way of having a structure in your videos that will make you more confident and it will make them covert better. You will know exactly what to do , what to say and when.

6- Related to the point above: look straight into the screen, to the camera. Avoiding eye contact at all costs, I know, I have been there…doesn´t look good. It also takes practice, but once you do it, it´s there to stay. A trick for this is not to sit , or stand too far away from the camera. Sit or stand at a comfortable distance, where you have enough backdrop showing (it is there for a communication, branding and marketing purpose, more on that on another post) but a distance that allows you to read any incoming comments and that lets your viewers see your eyes. Eye contact (although not real on video) creates empathy, relatability and connection. And that is what you are looking for when you do a video. You are trying to connect to your audience, so make that connection.

7- Use an optimised Backdrop: a backdrop is a communication, branding and marketing tool, every video needs one (different types apply to each type of video) but for shy people, it is even more important as it has psychological effects on us.

It acts not only as a physical support, which it does, but as a psychological support too.

It is especially important for shy people to have a backup plan that they can rely on if words don´t come to us, if our mind goes blank…or if you get stuck on words…you need a very powerful backdrop to compensate for that. Note that you are actually not compensating for that but for your belief that that is happening, hope this makes sense.

Your backdrop should tell your story and show your expertise.

It has the power of maximising your message, make you look professional, confident and trustworthy. Talk about a Super power!

Get your own bespoke optimised backdrop here.

An optimised backdrop is one that:

• Makes you recognizable and stand out in a crowded feed.
• Shows your expertise.
• Brands all your videos and online presence.
• Tells your story.
• Shows your field of business.
• Reflects your style, both personal and business.
• Includes psychological marketing triggers.
• Makes you more confident.
• Serves as a social media marketing tool.
• Attracts your ideal client.
• Lets you connect with your audience through the right signals.
• MAXIMISES YOUR MESSAGE AND REACH.

It can even save you from awkward moments if it is optimised (all backdrops should be, by the way). It needs to have appropriate triggers, reminders and backup props (if you would like to learn what these are, simply comment below and I will create more posts on this topic).

I hope these tips serve you well, please let me know if they do. I would love to hear your struggles on video, so I can address them in future posts.

If you are still not sure that Live streaming is for you, this Masterclass by livestream queen Katya Varbanova might make things clear for you. Watch it here.

So, you are ready to go live on your Facebook page.

You are still feeling a bit nervous and insecure, although you really need this to work for your business.

Others seem to be doing it fine, so why can´t you?

You sit there, open the app, press that button and suddenly you feel the weight of the heaviest rock you can imagine.

Will anybody turn up?

Will they ask questions?

Will I know how to answer them professionally?

Oh, dear, my whole reputation is at stake, if I mess this video up, I am done, it will mean the end of my dream of becoming my own successful, self sufficient business owner I have envisioned.

Oh, gosh, no, I can´t possibly go live!

I am not ready!

I will cancel, anyway, nobody expects me to go live, I have no audience!

Oh no, but the longer it takes me to do videos, the longer I will have to wait to get my message out there.

And the longer it will be to get clients!

Oh but, if I don´t get clients, I will have to abandon my dream of being an entrepreneur! And I will have to go back to my boring job!

Oh, I couldn´t take that again. Especially when I left and I told everyone I was going to make it big.

What if some of my ex colleagues are watching?

Oh, no, I couldn´t handle that. Not today. it´s not a good time, My hair a mess…oh, but …

What if I do go live and show them that I am bloody good at my craft

Oh but, if I make it big, I will get haters, and I don´t want that. I want them to love me.

But…if I don´t ever go live, they won´t be able to get to know me, so they won´t be able to love anyway.

Oh, dear, what shall I do?

Someone…please, help!

Can you relate to this?

I bet you can.

No matter how many times you have tried to put yourself out there, a little bit (or a lot) of fear comes crawling right back at you!

It´s so sleazy, sometimes you won´t even feel it coming, but boom! Press that go live button and you get all the symptoms…again and again.

So I have decided to help you overcome those fears, insecurities and self-doubts. Because I was you, I still am!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The other day, during a #shareathon I spoke about my struggles when going live and with video, in general. But obviously, worst form of video for a shy person is Live! (You can watch that video below)

I remember when I kept telling myself, the more you do anything, the less scary it gets and the better you get at it, well surely it has to be the same with live streaming.

I knew if I wanted to take my business online, there was no way I could avoid embracing video.

You see…my business is related to Video, hello? Video Backdrops!

 

So here was I, helping other people do amazing videos, creating beautiful branded and supportive backdrops and I was too afraid of doing a video! Can you see the paradox?

Therefore, I was committed to overcome my fears. Which, I tell you have been (and still are) huge, ever since I remember. Just so you get an idea, I saw a camera and I ran away, that was always my reaction while growing up, and I tell you with a mum that enjoyed photography and video…that was hard, lol! Just imagine how scared I was that I don´t even have a video of my wedding…and I only agreed to having a photographer because it wouldn´t have been fair on my husband or guests…but I had a really hard time with that too (my photo album must be hidden away somewhere…).

So, I am not going to tell you it is easy. I am not going to tell you to do 10 videos and then you will be a pro, no, it is a process, it takes an effort and commitment, but you can totally do it. Believe me.

It takes time, it takes commitment, it takes some tips and tools that will make it a bit easier and then, one day, you will realise that although you did get nervous, it was actually exciting.

And you know then, that if only one day that excitement feels stronger than the panic, you will actually start enjoying it. Just think that if you are able to feel that, even if it is just once, there are chances you will be able to feel it more often, does it make sense?

There will be set backs, some days will suck, other days you will feel like you pushed through and did a decent job, other days you will even feel like you´ve got this.

My humble advice is, keep going, practice is necessary and you will never actually be doing it as bad as you think, honestly. Those silences that seem like minutes are imperceptible, that stumbling upon words…you will get over it and you can even joke about it to lessen the pressure. Note: I still haven´t been able to master that, but I will one day!

People can relate to nerves, they can relate to struggles, they won´t think you are less professional because of your shyness, believe me, if anything, you will be able to inspire more people to give it a try.

You will be able to inspire more people to try live streaming despite their shyness.
Click To Tweet

Now, this is only a short list of things that I have found have helped me and are still helping me along the way:

• Community: find yourself a supportive group of people that are going through the same struggle or that are ahead of you, so they can lead and help out. I have found the #peri10k Mastermind to be such community. Both for the support and  for the responsibility not to let the others in the community down, you pull through and do it as best you can. It took me 5 months to do my very first #shareathon , my only regret now is not jumping in before. I think it is the best way to overcome any fear, you just have to do it and that´s it. Sometimes “just do it” is the best therapy!

• Start a support pod or even a practice group where you can get constructive feedback and you can support and find support at the same time. Start small, in a supportive and constructive environment. A closed facebook group is a good platform as you can actually test your live streaming. You are very welcome to join my Facebook group and find the support you need.

• Find your turning point. When I realised it is not about me, but about my message and what I can do for others, a heavy weight got off my shoulders. I realised my message is much more important than me feeling awkward on camera.

I realised my message is much more important than me feeling awkward on camera.
Click To Tweet

• Don´t be afraid to share your struggles. I used to think everything had to be perfect and I could not share my panic, when you share, you never know who you might be inspiring and encouraging.

• Be engaged, this is sometimes the hardest, especially at the beginning. You are trying not to forget what you want to say and you completely forget to check the messages, to welcome people…it takes practice. I have done complete scopes without replying t any comments…trying not to do it any more. Setting yourself triggers and reminders helps. Here is when having a supportive office or space (wherever you do videos) is so crucial and helpful.

• Related to the point above: look straight into the screen, to the camera. Avoiding eye contact at all costs, I know, I have been there…doesn´t look good. It also takes practice, but once you do it, it´s there to stay. A trick for this is not to sit , or stand too far away from the camera. Sit or stand at a comfortable distance, where you have enough backdrop showing (it is there for a communication, branding and marketing purpose, more on that on another post) but a distance that allows you to read any incoming comments and that lets your viewers see your eyes. Eye contact (although not real) creates empathy, relatability and connection. And that is what you are looking for when you do a video.

• Use a Backdrop: a backdrop is a communication, branding and marketing tool, every video needs one (different types apply to each type of video) but for shy people, it is even more important as it has psychological effects on us.

It acts not only as a physical support, which it does, but as a psychological support too.

 It is especially important for shy people to have a backup plan that they can rely on if words don´t come to us, if our mind goes blank…or if you get stuck on words…you need a very powerful backdrop to compensate for that. Note that you are actually not compensating for that but for your belief that that is happening, hope this makes sense.

Your backdrop should tell your story and show your expertise. It has the power of maximising your message, make you look professional, confident and trustworthy. Talk about a Super power! It can even save you from awkward moments if it is optimised (all backdrops should be, take the test), well styles and you set up triggers, reminders and conversation starters.

I hope these tips serve you well, please let me know if they do. Comment below or PM on Facebook. I love hearing from you.

If you feel you need help with your Backdrop, you might want to start with this. It is a first step towards a fully optimised backdrop, great if you are just starting out or if your budget is a bit tight.

If, however, you are ready for the full In-a-box backdrop design, go here.

I just did my second Periscope broadcast…and I made the silliest mistake with…MY BACKDROP!

To see if you can spot my silly mistake, watch this short video below (I also share tips on motivating yourself, by the way):

Watch this 10 minute video.

Did you spot it? Comment below and let me know. I know, right? I should know better, I teach this stuff! (insert red faced emoji here!)

Yes, me, “The Backdrop Stylist”…and I must admit, the perfectionist in me did have quick thought of deleting the broadcast but I immediately thought again and decided not to, why?

Because it has been such a stretch, such an effort to actually be able to jump in a #shareathon (to know what that is, go here peri10k) that I want to keep every scope as a reminder of the process and of my evolution.

Because every facebook live and every scope is a reminder of where I started from and where I want to get.

For those of you who are not shy, this may not resonate at all, but anyone struggling with getting more visibility, anyone who finds video out of their comfort zone will definitely recognise these symptoms: nerves, cold sweat, stumbling on words, mind going blank…all these things happen before and during a broadcast.

You hit that Go live button and all you can think of is of running away and never coming back!

I know, if it is that awful, why do you keep trying? You need to keep reading to find out…

My mission has always been to make people happier by creating beautiful surroundings where they can feel inspired, relaxed and happy. I want to Inspire people to be aware of their environment. In 2015 my Power Word © was precisely Inspire.

Your surroundings affect your life and work.

Through my years designing and styling homes and workspaces, I know for a fact that you can create any mood by styling your space a certain way.

You can improve your concentration, your motivation, your productivity, focus and well-being. Isn´t that a good enough reason(s) to leave my shyness behind and try this video thing?

If your mission has nothing to do with reaching and impacting more people, and your service isn´t mostly visual , you probably don´t need video. You might find writing to be your preferred way of communicating or anything else that doesn´t involve video. However, in my case, creating beautiful workspaces and especially video backdrops (!) does require me to show what I preach.

I did my first You Tube video back in November 2015. It was a tutorial on how to create a centrepiece. I knew in my mind exactly what I wanted to create when I first started my School of Style as part of The Perfect Backdrop — I wanted to inspire as many people as possible to create beauty around themselves in order to feel happier.

That video was actually not that bad, except for the fact that I started in daylight and it was getting dark by the time I finished. It was way too long, I went into a lot of detail and I had to cut it into three parts.

But the nerves and fear I experienced were so awful, I just wasn´t able to do another video till December 2016! That was over a year after.

That meant that my plan to impact and reach as many people as possible was halted for a whole year. I did write and do other things and I really enjoyed my offline workshops and projects but the reason behind The Perfect Backdrop was to help people worldwide, not just locally. My fear had put a stop to that worldwide reach and impact…till I realised something.

The fact that

---

My mission is bigger than my shyness.
Click To Tweet

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By keeping my expertise off camera , I was not allowing people to learn how they could improve their surroundings, I was keeping the power of improving their lives and businesses to myself.

So, every time I think of doing a video, I remember my mission. It is not a magic pill but it does give me the push I need to try again. And if I feel like postponing it, I think of the people I might not be helping through not doing it.

See? This is why jumping on the #Shareathon meant so much for me, it meant if I can go live in front of x people, sharing a specific time slot with amazing speakers, having to introduce them and interact with viewers while delivering valuable information…well, I can do it all on video.

Even if it were just one person that I inspired, it would be worth doing.

Now, to anyone struggling on camera, I am still far from being a natural on screen but I can assure you, you can do this. If I can, anyone can.

As I mentioned before, for those of you who have no mental blocks stopping you and freezing you when you go live, this article will mean nothing but if you have ever felt the fear of doing a video, if you are still panicking when you hit that Go live button, the advice I would give you is:

The more you try, the less fear you feel. The less fear, the better you communicate. The better you communicate, the more people you inspire.

I have not reached the point yet where I can feel totally happy with my videos, I still stumble upon my words at times but the evolution has been amazing (in the way I feel at least).

So, I won´t say it is easy, you will feel the fear, but it diminishes bit by bit and you know what? Two weeks ago I noticed it was the first time I was actually enjoying a broadcast! It felt so different. I though, ok so this is the excitement people feel when they go live! There had to be a benefit (apart from exposure and visibility) or people wouldn´t be doing it.I could describe it as “good nerves”, they felt tickly but nice.

Since that day, since that one broadcast in which, in spite of the nerves, I had fun, I know for sure that someday soon I will look forward to going live. I might even have a blast!

My recommendation is find yourself a support group where you can start doing videos bit by bit, shorter ones at the beginning until you start feeling comfortable. A safe environment where you can feel protected, supported and encouraged. On Periscope you can choose your audience, set it to only you and test a few times to become more used to the platform and to get more at ease.

Then, make a commitment (I find that making it public helps with pulling through) of going live or creating a pre-recorded video at least once a week.

You will find that the more you do, the less nervous you will get . And then suddenly, one day, you will realise that you are enjoying yourself-I promise!

If you would like to practice in a safe environment, you are very welcome to use my group as a training platform. I understand what you are going through and I will be able to help and support you.

Another thing that will make you feel more confident in your videos is having a Perfect Backdrop, it provides a supportive environment, it gives you plenty of conversation starters, it makes you look more trustworthy ad professional (among other benefits), so if you would like The Perfect Backdrop for your videos, get in touch and we will chat.

I cannot begin to tell you the difference it makes in your confidence!

The reason behind The Perfect Backdrop is to help you shine in your videos, to make you show up confidently and for people to trust you. And it works, this is not one fancy marketing tactic, it really and truly works.

Let me help you become more confident on video, let´s chat.

You have 8 seconds to get someone´s attention before they decide to listen to you or not.

A gold fish has a 9 second attention span, yes, more than humans!

So, How are you going to use those 8 seconds?

Research carried out over the last few years state that human attention span has decreased from 12 seconds before the year 2000 to just 8 due to the overload of information our brain is constantly bombarded with.

I have to disagree with this, at least on Social Media, our attention span is reduced to merely 4-5 seconds. You can test this yourself. Scroll down any facebook wall:

How long do you spend on each post?

What makes you stop and pay more attention?

Live streams are beginning to be boring, there is no novelty anymore, since everyone is doing them-look, even I am!

And remember also people usually have their audio off, o they cannot listen to your great message at the beginning, they are just seeing you.

I know very well what makes me want to stop and watch or read something.

There are two situations:

1- You know the person already and you know what type of content they put out. If you already, and notice I am saying already, know them and have the certainty they give value or they make you giggle, you might be willing to pay more attention.

However,

2- If you don´t know the person, you have no idea whether they give value or not, whether they are amusing or not, whether that live streaming will be useful or just a waste of time…

In my case it is clear, if I don´t see anything in their backdrop* that makes me think they have something interesting to offer, I will scroll down. I won´t even give them 8 seconds. And it is not just me, we all do it.

Remember we are VISUAL beings, so you need to give your viewers a VISUAL STIMULUS or they will leave you…

So what can you do if you only have 8 seconds to captivate your audience? Take into account their audio might be turned down also…

Options: paint your hair green…

It´s an option, but that is not even original any more…

How can you make sure they´ll want to stay on longer, turn their audio up and actually watch you?

Here is where having a well designed backdrop comes in.

What is a backdrop*?

It s the area behind and around you that people see when you are on screen.

Your backdrop has the ability of enhancing or breaking your message.

It cannot do everything for you , you will still need to have a good message, your expertise but it can help A LOT!

So this is what you can do today.

Decide on a spot you will use for you next live stream. Add one element that represents your business and place it somewhere where your audience can see it.

Tell me how it goes.

Watch the facebook live I did on this topic:

You can join the facebook group I mention in the video here.

Would you like to learn how to do this correctly?

I have a course that is perfect for anyone doing videos, online courses and live streams.

In just 3 weeks , you will learn all the power of a backdrop,

How to use it as a marketing tool,

How to use it as a branding tool

And how to create it

With one-on-one help

In a fun way, easy, step by step instructions.

You can totally fit it into a busy schedule.

Get it right from the start. Your backdrop is the most powerful marketing, branding and communication tool you can use in your online presence. Start paying attention to it.